E-mail, the Internet, automated teller machines (ATMs), online banking, cell phones, long-distance carriers, and credit cards make our lives more efficient. However, as our lives become more integrated with technology, keeping our private information confidential becomes more difficult. Electronic transactions can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and other types of fraud. Following a few simple tips can help you keep your private information safe. The following safety precautions are provided by the New York State Police.

Passwords are often required to access information from financial, medical, and other institutions. Hackers have sophisticated tools for cracking passwords. Here are some tips for creating and protecting your passwords:

• Select at least eight characters, including a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols that you can remember but that others won’t easily guess.
• Do not use your mother’s maiden name, spouse’s name, last four digits of your Social Security number, pets’ or children’s names, or date of birth.
• Create a new password for every website or login that requests one. If that is impractical, create a few hard-to-guess passwords and use those at sites you want to keep most secure. Create easier-to-remember passwords to use at less important sites.
• Change your passwords regularly — at least once a month.
• If you must write them down, don’t carry them or create a computer file of passwords.

If you shop online or over the phone, you will probably give your credit card number, including the expiration date, over the phone or Internet. If these numbers fall into the wrong hands, you may find unauthorized charges on your next credit card statement.

• Do business only with companies you know; do not give out your credit card number to make a purchase or reservation unless you initiated the transaction.
• Shop only at secure websites that use encryption software to transfer data from your computer to the merchant and that have strong privacy and security policies.
• Do not respond to e-mails asking you to “update” your credit card information even if they appear to be from the company that issued you the credit card. Call the company directly to verify what information is needed.
• If you received pre-approved credit card offers in the mail, do not throw them in the trash without shredding them first.
• If you are expecting new credit cards in the mail and they do not arrive, or you do not receive your bills at the expected time, call the credit card issuer immediately.
• Check your credit card bills carefully for several months after purchasing on the Internet. If you find purchases you did not make, immediately contact the credit card company and file a dispute claim.
• Get a copy of your credit report once a year and review it for any unexpected activity.

If there are unauthorized charges on your credit card statement or withdrawals from your bank account, notify the police and the financial institution immediately. If you are a victim of identity theft, file a police report; file an online complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/; notify the three major credit card bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union; and close your account.

Some businesses and government agencies believe that using your Social Security number (SSN) is the most accurate way to store and retrieve information. But your Social Security number is also the prime target of criminals interested in committing identity theft and other crimes. Therefore, it is essential that you protect your SSN.

• Release your SSN only when it is absolutely necessary. Employers need your SSN to report your earnings to the IRS, but law enforcement does not need it to issue you a parking permit.
• Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse unless you need it for a specific situation, such as the first day of a new job.
• Do not print your SSN on checks or business cards.
• If possible, do not put your SSN on job applications.
• If asked to provide your SSN online, look for the closed padlock symbol on the bottom of the page, and read the company’s privacy policy on how it safeguards your personal information.
• Do not respond to unsolicited electronic mail messages in which your SSN and other personal information are requested. No reputable company or government agency sends unsolicited e-mail messages to request sensitive personal data.
• If a private business requests your SSN, suggest alternatives like your driver’s license number (unless your driver’s license number is your SSN).

If you have any questions or comments on this or any other state issue, or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office. My office can be reached by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling (315) 598-5185.